Rescue efforts are ongoing to locate 38 individuals unaccounted for after a tragic ferry sinking near Bali, Indonesia, which resulted in at least four fatalities.
Ferry Disaster Near Bali: 4 Dead, 38 Missing After Capsizing Incident
Ferry Disaster Near Bali: 4 Dead, 38 Missing After Capsizing Incident
A ferry carrying 65 passengers and crew sank on its journey to Bali, prompting a multi-boat rescue operation amid challenging sea conditions.
On Thursday, Indonesian rescuers intensified their search for 38 individuals missing from a ferry that sank en route to Bali, leaving at least four people confirmed dead. The ill-fated vessel, KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed from Java less than an hour before it issued a distress call at 11:20 PM local time, sinking just 15 minutes later. It was carrying a total of 65 people, including 53 passengers and 12 crew members.
As of Thursday morning, search and rescue operations based in Surabaya reported the recovery of four bodies. Additionally, rescuers managed to save 23 individuals from the turbulent sea, characterized by waves exceeding six feet in height, with more than ten boats and local fishermen participating in the reluctant search. Families anxiously awaited updates at the Banyuwangi port in East Java, where the ferry had embarked.
Ferry accidents are a known hazard in Indonesia, which is made up of over 17,000 islands. This incident marks the second ferry sinking near Bali in the past month; another vessel capsized in early June during its departure from Bali, but all 89 aboard were rescued. Amid such tragedies, the popular tourist destination of Bali receives upwards of six million international visitors each year.
This story is still unfolding, and the search operations continue as authorities face difficult maritime challenges. Francesca Regalado reports on breaking news for The Times, and Muktita Suhartono covers Southeast Asian happenings from Bangkok.
